KUALA LUMPUR: Religious agencies are not above investigations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) if there are elements of corruption and offences.
Speaking to Bernama, MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki said the position and power accorded were not for them to be involved in corruption.
“If there are parties who think they can escape from MACC investigations, the recent actions are proof that any agency can be investigated by MACC,” he said when commenting on the arrest of four Johor religious officers suspected of being involved in corruption and abuse of power in the state yesterday.
Azam added MACC took a serious view of the matter as the individuals were entrusted by the people and they should carry out their responsibilities with integrity.
He said this was not the first time religious department officers were detained by MACC. In fact, officers from religious departments in other states had also been nabbed and investigated previously.
“This is not only a problem of corruption and as religious practitioners, they should avoid getting involved in corruption.”
Yesterday, Johor MACC detained two officers from the Johor State Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) and two Johor Bahru Religious Education (PPID) officers suspected of being involved in corruption and abuse of power for personal gain.
The principal assistant director and an assistant officer of JAINJ Syariah Law Division were held after initial investigations found they had approved permit to organise Muslim pre-marriage courses without going through procedures.
The two officers at PPID were detained for allegedly receiving bribes from a company to print books for Sekolah Agama Rakyat Johor. --BERNAMA